IND vs NZ 2026: Suryakumar Yadav is the Rohit and Virat of T20s, says Munaf Patel

Former World Cup winner Munaf Patel has likened Suryakumar Yadav to Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in 20-over cricket. Ahead of the final match of the series against New Zealand, Suryakumar is the leading run-getter across both teams while possessing a strike rate of 192.47.

Munaf responded to the critics who wanted India to drop Suryakumar from the T20I team after an underwhelming 2025, stating that a player of his stature should not be excluded irrespective of a lean patch.

“Look, Suryakumar is Suryakumar. Just like you count Rohit and Virat in ODIs and Tests, Suryakumar is the Rohit and Virat of T20s. We always manage big players like this. A player is dropped only when you lose everything. But when you keep winning, some things stay hidden. This is your chance to give Suryakumar a chance,” shared Munaf in a YouTube video on Breaking Sports with Vivek Sethia.

Referring to the T20I skipper as a "legend of the format", Munaf opined that Suryakumar has warranted his spot in the XI. 

“You are winning, so there is no problem. If you were losing, it would be a problem. When you are winning, you should back him. He is also a legend of the format, so you have to support him. You don’t have a choice. He 100% deserves his place. Suryakumar, like Virat and Rohit, can play an innings that makes you forget everything else, and he has that ability,” he added.

India and New Zealand are currently involved in a T20I series in India. The Men in Blue have taken an unassailable 3-1 lead ahead of the final match, which is scheduled to be played at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on January 31. Suryakumar will be keen to end with more runs to his name and be in full flow with the T20 World Cup round the corner.